National Park fees taking a hike

Entrance fees will increase at Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park starting June 1. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today file photo)
Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

KAILUA-KONA — Entrance to local national parks will cost a little more after the National Park Service announced upcoming fee increases at two sites on Hawaii Island.

The increases at Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will generate revenue to support maintenance and infrastructure improvements at the two locations, according to announcements from each park.

Starting June 1, fees to enter Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park will increase to $15 per vehicle, $7 per person on foot and $10 per motorcycle.

Current admission fees are $5 for a vehicle and $3 per pedestrian and per motorcycle.

Fees are expected to increase again at the start of January 2020 to $20, $10 and $15, respectively.

Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park will be introducing an annual pass, which will cost $30 and allow for unlimited entry to the park for one year from the date of purchase.

The cost of the annual pass will increase to $35 on Jan. 1, 2020.

The park said in a statement that additional revenue from the entrance fees will go toward projects such as upgrading the amphitheater’s audio/visual equipment, as well as the development of new exhibits and interpretive programs.

Entrance fees are also going up at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Starting January 2020, visitors can expect to pay $30 per vehicle, $15 per pedestrian or bicyclist and $25 per motorcycle.

Projects being looked at for the revenue from entrance fees at Hawaii Volcanoes will include a new roof at Jaggar Museum and improvements to the park water system and trails, among other things.

The annual Tri Park Pass, which allows for unlimited entry to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Haleakala National Park and Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park will remain available, although the cost will increase from $30 to $50 on June 1. The price will increase again in January 2020 to $55.

The release from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park said the prices of the annual America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Lands Annual Pass and Lifetime Senior Pass will stay the same at $80.